Whitmer installs new Michigan Strategic Fund board

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is installing her own appointees on the Michigan Strategic Fund's board of directors as part of her reorganization of the state's economic development agencies.

Whitmer on Friday made seven appointments to the board that approves tax incentives for business development projects managed by the quasi-governmental Michigan Economic Development Corp.

The Democratic governor also designated MEDC CEO Jeff Mason as president and chairperson of the Michigan Strategic Fund board.

Mason, a holdover from former Republican Gov. Rick Snyder's administration, continues serving as the MEDC's chief executive under his past contract, which expired in July, according to the governor's office.

Whitmer's appointees to the Michigan Strategic Fund board include:

Britany Affolter-Caine, of Ypsilanti, executive director and program manager of University Research Corridor, for a term ending July 31, 2020

The appointments, which are subject to the advice and consent of the Michigan Senate, follow Whitmer's executive order in June changing the name of the Talent and Economic Development (TED) department to the Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) department and shaking up various governing boards.